When entering the competition to design Voss High School, we wanted to make a building that incorporated both the spectacular natural surroundings and the local tradition for timber buildings and pitched roofs. The result is a building that is firmly rooted in Voss, yet offers a new interpretation of traditional timber building.
Our winning submission was designed to accommodate 380 students and 100 teachers over 6 vocational programs. They will be learning and teaching in rectangular structures forming an H-shape that extends into the surrounding landscape. This school is a hub for all sorts of activities and experiences, with a multifunction hall for sports and cultural events, as well as two courtyards and a canteen overlooking the nearby lake.
One of the requirements of the competition was to use timber as a building material. Nordic has taken care to use timber both in construction and cladding, inside and outside. The composition, with large windows and skylights, creates bright spaces indoors, perfect for learning and being together.